They can't go for that: Hall & Oates sue over Haulin' Oats granola

Clever wordplay in granola branding? Daryl Hall & John Oates can’t go for that. At least in this case.

Hall & Oates — the duo behind hits such as “Maneater,” “Kiss on My List,” “Private Eyes” and “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” — have slapped Early Bird Foods & Co with legal action over the company’s Haulin’ Oats granola, which has clearly left a bad taste in the musicians’ mouths.

The suit, filed in U.S. district court in New York on Wednesday, claims that Hall and Oates owns the trademark and service mark rights to the Haulin’ Oats name, as it pertains to the sale of oatmeal and the provision of food delivery services.

According to the complaint, the duo acquired the rights to the Haulin’ Oats marks in 2014, after discovering that a Nashville-based company had been using the name to sell oatmeal. The pair entered a partnership with the Tennessee company, in which the company assigned the marks to the musicians, and the duo granted a license back to the company.

The Early Bird product, the suit claims, creates confusion for consumers.

Alleging trademark and service mark infringement and unfair competition, Hall and Oates are asking that Early Bird be permanently barred from using the Haulin’ Oats name. They’re also seeking “all gains, profits and advantages derived by [defendants] from the unlawful activities alleged herein.”